25 Years Ago May, 1981

25 YEARS AGO MAY, 1981

Weighing-in at 186 pages, this hefty issue upheld Cycle World's promise of offering a little something for everyone. Yamaha’s innovative XV750 Virago V-Twin stole the cover, headlining the five full tests within, which included a pair for the off-road set and a trio of pavement-pounders. As visionary as the Virago may have been, a test of Honda’s CB900F struck a nostalgic cord with me, as this was the bike (borrowed from a friend) that introduced me to street riding and the fact that motorcycles countersteer. It was also a crossroads in my life that led to my financing a V45 Interceptor two years later, which led to a budding roadrace career and eventually this magazine.

• “Battery Basics” explained how they work and how to keep ’em working.

Not the most, er, electrifying topic, but it goes to show how carefree modern bike ownership has become. When was the last time you checked your battery with a hydrometer?

• My favorite piece in this issue was Executive Editor John Ulrich’s firstperson account of racing in the famed Eight Hours of Suzuka. The story led off with Ulrich pushing his crashdamaged Moriwaki Kawasaki back to the pits for repair during the race. Upon arrival, Pops Yoshimura needled him, Uohn Son-of-a-Bitch," he yelled. "What kind of test you do for your magazine? Crash test? Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Had only I known this when I rode 24-hour endurance races for Ulrich's Team Valvoline Suzuki a decade later.

Don Canet